By Lacey Helmig
The Children’s Place
A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds in the United States. Right here in our community, every day we learn of children who are in unsafe situations or have experienced traumatic events.
The Children’s Place located in Kansas City, Mo., was founded in 1978 by a group of concerned citizens and community stakeholders responding to an increase in awareness of child abuse. More than 40 years later, the agency continues to provide lifesaving mental health services for young children who have experienced traumatic events, from abuse or neglect to divorce or a car accident.
Research shows when children experience multiple traumatic events, it causes a tremendous amount of stress on their developing minds and may have a lasting impact on their ability to feel safe and wanted. Early intervention has the power to mitigate future health and social issues.
Traumatic events are similar to an ear infection—it hurts, and the sooner treatment is administered, the quicker the pain subsides, and long-term suffering and future complications are prevented.
The Children’s Place specializes in helping young children under the age of 8 who have
experienced traumatic events. They have four programs that serve the mental health needs of children which children, including Assessments & Screenings and Day Treatment.
If you believe that a child in your life is in an unsafe situation, please report it immediately by calling the Children’s Division’s child abuse hotline at 1-800-392-3738 (Missouri) or 1-800-922-5330 (Kansas). To learn more contact The Children’s Place at 816.363.1898 or visit childrensplacekc.org.
